Any out there used any Habor Freight Tools, think of getting there brake caliper tool, and some needle nose pliers,and maybe a 3/8 air ratchet. Prices are very cheep so afraid the quality will be baddddd!!!!

 

It really depends on the tool . HF is ok for the home mechanic that does not plan on using them on a daily basis. The quality is low but they usually get the job done.

 

Some of them are junk, some are good. I have a ball joint puller from them that works like a charm, but I got a corded rotary tool that just can't cut very well. They are great for buying bulk terminal kits and electrical supplies though.

 

I agree with trackster. I go to harbor freight, and I have bought tools there - welder, ball joint tools, and a shop press among other things. My thoughts on the tools is they are cheap, but functional. The tools you mentioned above will work just fine, but don't expect them to be Snap-On quality, and they will probably stop working with extensive use.

Here is my recommendation - if you need a tool you are going to use every day, and need it to do its job every time, go somewhere else. Also if you need a precision tool that is calibrated to very specific tolerances definitely go somewhere else. However, if you need a simple tool you are going to use a couple of times, or a tool you are likely to break (non-warranty tools) or loose no matter where you buy it from, then HF is a good place to go.

 

The piston retraction tool makes dealing with the rear calipers a snap! Always made do in the past, but recently boought and used this tool. Could not believe how easy it made the job. The quality on this is OK, considering it gets used infrequently.

the 3/8 and 1/2 inch ratchet drives are OK for occassional use. They won't stand up to regularly wrenching. Nor would you want to use them regularly compared to the ergonomics and quality from Craftsman and better quality. I'd be wary of screw drivers. In my mind's eye, I imagine lots of easily broken regular blades. Some of the gasoline and channel lock pliers are OK for moderate use.

 

I have a Harbor Freight in town so I buy items there frequently.
Their basic hand tools such as screwdrivers, rachets, extensions, allen wrenches, and tap/dies are junk. I have broken/bent many. For basic tools that you use all the time, buy something like Craftsman. They will last forever or can be replaced for free.

I also think most of their electric powered tools are junk, such as drills.

For unique tools that you use very infrequently, Harbor Freight is great. Things like spring compressors, caliper tool, bearing presses, and A/C line removal tools.

 

Northern Tool is another place to look, I've bought some stuff from them and seems to be better quality than Harbor Freight. I bought a 1/2" deep socket set from Harbor Freight and split one in half the first time I used it. Never bought another part from them again. Northern Tool also sells specialty parts like caliper tools etc. Not sure if you know but Sears also has an OK selection of specialty automotive tools in its tool section. Not nearly as vast as places like Harbor Freight or Northern Tool but a little more convenient to get to one. Just my $.02

Steve

 

Thanks for all the inpute!!!!!

 

I definitely enjoy harbor freight. I have a plasma cutter, shop press, sand blaster cabinet,bench grinders(all which have never let me down) and a HUGE variety of things from there. BUT do not get wrenches/screwdrivers from there. The metal will leave you with busted knuckles. They had a sale on electric angle grinders so I bought about half a dozen of them and now I dont have to spend the time swapping from grinder wheels to cutoff wheels to flapper wheels to wire wheels!!!

 

As many have said, most is junk but those rarely used tools and welding supplies are great. Their brake caliper tool works well not great but well.

 

I love Harbor Freight. They are having a big sale April 18 an 19 I think. Plastic welder for $60

 

I agree with everyon if you are need any other tool that has various uses and needs to be able to handle a beating go with a big name (snap-on, MAC, craftsman) and spend your money on something that is made to last and has a warranty.

For what its worth I have the Hf caliper tool and it is well made and I wouldn't doubt that Blue Point (Snap-On) has the same setup with theirs just more expensive. Also the caliper tool really has only one use and that is being a caliper tool. So if you break it you for sure are doing something with it that it wasn't intended for or "Your Doing it Wrong".

 

+1. Well put.

- Mark

 

While I agree with most of what everyone has said, I thought I'd point out that the tools like screwdrivers and the like Harbor Freight has a lifetime guarantee, just like Craftsman. I've never had a problem returning broken wrenches or anything else to them for a replacement.

One other note is that Harbor Freight's prices are generally good, but not better than other store's sale prices (like Home Depot or Lowes) for similar quality items. However, Harbor Freight's sale prices, or prices plus the coupons they regularly make available, are great.

I use them for many smaller items (like clamps and hand tools) where I don't plan to use them a lot.

HTH

 

Harbor Frieght is like a big Candy Store. The bottom line is, you get what you pay for. You can't beat the prices, but as so many have said, you won't find long-term tools there.

Good luck!

 

I use HF tools. I think you get what you pay for and while most Harbor Freight tools work fine I don't expect them to last forever. I wouldn't use them for professional purposes but they are just fine for occasional use.

And, no I didn't read the post right before mine before I posted.

 

Hi all, here is a thread on another forum I frequent. It's pretty much a list of what HF tools are worth the money and what is a waste.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434877

 

Nice resource there thanks for sharing

 

I think most of their electric power tools are junk... but the air tools are fine for occasional use, the jacks and such are fine, the *better* tool cabinets and carts are good, and I've had good success with sockets and some ratchets for weekend use... as has been said, definitely not pro quality tools - but usually (especially on sale) the price points are fair given the quality level - I could break several of most things from there before I could buy one from SnapOn....

 

I've used quite a bit of HF tools. Yes, they are cheap. I tend to only go there if I need some kind of specialty tool that I don't plan on using very often and doesn't HAVE to be of the highest quality (i.e., I wouldn't buy a torque wrench there - accuracy issues). I've bought stuff like spring compressors, tumblers, their brake piston tool, etc. I wouldn't buy stuff like drill bits, wrenches, sockets, etc.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91039

HF has a great little racing jack. One of the very few that will slide under my car with the 15 inch track wheels on it.

Alan

 

So I go to a Harbor Frieght Retail store here in MA. the other day. Kind of a hike for me about 45min from Boston. Mini Road Trip!!!But I was impressed, some of the stuff was junk but alot seemed good enough for the weekend warrior! LED flash and shop lights dirt cheep, mini 3/8 air ratchet $20 bucks.Also they sell a blow torch type flame thrower devise that you connect to a gas grill propane tank!!!! $16-buckssssss I really have no need for such a devise, but come on a flame thrower for $16 who could resist!!!!!!!!

 

Yep - I have that jack and LOVE it. It's like the perfect MINI jack...
I think I'm gonna buy a second one just to have two in the garage for times when it's handy (engine jacking, etc.)

I'll wait for a sale...

 

Oh yeah... and for anyone in the Carolinas, or anyone who drives I-95 to Florida... the Harbor Freight distribution center is in Dillon SC on I-95.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...l_Store_ID=120

It's like a candy store for grease monkeys - much nicer and better organized than most of their retail locations, and they tend to have EVERYTHING where many of the retail stores only seem to stock a subset of their stuff...

 

Actually, their torque wrench has received very favorable reviews and it's accuracy was rated right up with the big dogs. I keep one in the boot just for changing wheels. It's worked great for over 4 years.